Buccaneers draft Chris Godwin replacement with Ohio State star Emeka Egbuka

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers did one of two things on Thursday night with the No. 19 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

They either got themselves a three-headed wide receiver monster, or they signaled that Chris Godwin will need replacing sooner rather than later coming off a serious injury.

Either way, this is what Tampa Bay did: select Emeka Egbuka, the wide receiver out of Ohio State.

He's a hugely steady, talented player that can give Baker Mayfield another great weapon to throw to.

Coming off a national championship season, Egbuka might've went slightly earlier than expected, but he's got the talent and consistency to make the choice pay off.

Egbuka measures at 6-foot-1, 203 pounds.

Emeka Egbuka's reaction to finding out he is a first-round draft pick for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/8ppmTp45kr

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In 2024, he had 81 catches for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Buckeyes.

He was also a star two seasons ago, with 74-1151-10, before a slow junior season.

Egbuka is a good contrast to big Mike Evans, more of a route runner in the pockets of the defense with great hands.

Occasionally, Ohio State sent Egbuka deep, and his routes were so pure that he got open there, too.

Tampa Bay and all the Buccaneers fan base wants Godwin back, of course. Things are much tougher if he never returns to form.

But they also know that there'll come a day when Evans and Godwin can't be the wide receiver leaders anymore.

When that day comes, Egbuka should be ready to step up to a huge role.

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